US campaign to cripple Iran's economy risks falling short without global partners, experts say

The US Operation Economic Outcast campaign to cripple Iran's economy is falling short without greater international coordination, according to a Washington Institute assessment. Experts Michael Jacobson and Matthew Levitt urge stronger sanctions coordination and counterterrorism cooperation. The US and 29 governments accused Iran of plotting to destroy US air assets at RAF Fairford. Congress allocated $300 million to strengthen partners' counterterrorism capabilities. The assessment highlights that some governments hesitated to condemn Iran due to concerns about retaliation and wrongful detentions.

The United States' Operation Economic Outcast, designed to sever economic lifelines sustaining the Iranian regime, is falling short of its full potential without greater coordination with international partners, according to a new assessment by two experts from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Michael Jacobson and Matthew Levitt argue that closer coordination with allies on sanctions would strengthen Washington's efforts to undermine the Iranian regime alongside the ongoing blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. They criticize Washington for relying on targeted, limited diplomatic efforts to address Iran-linked terrorism. On October 12, the US and 29 other governments accused Iran of orchestrating plots to destroy US air assets at RAF Fairford. The experts note that some governments initially hesitated to condemn Iranian plots due to concerns about retaliation and wrongful detentions. They recommend using foreign assistance funding, including $300 million already allocated by Congress, to train and equip authorities in Syria, Yemen, Iraq, West Africa, and South America to disrupt Iranian smuggling and terror financing networks.